Chicago Bears.....OFFSEASON

Well, it's the end of the season and the end of an era.  The Bears beat the Lions 26-24 to complete a 10-win season, but did not get the needed help from the Green Bay Packers to advance to postseason football.  As a result, the Bears fired their coach of 9 years, Lovie Smith.

Kind of mixed emotions right now.  I liked Lovie Smith the person, a leader and a motivator.....even was a fan of him as a coach.  He clearly had his flaws, but he was good enough to average 9.5 wins per season after taking over Dick Jauron's mess, winning at least 7 games in each of the last 8 years.  But ultimately, 2 things cost Coach Smith his job:

1) missing the playoffs for the 5th time in the 6 years since going to the Super Bowl
2) the inevitable hiring of a 4th offensive coordinator in a 5-year span.

Lovie's inability to surround himself with anyone knowledgeable on the offensive side of the ball was his undoing.  He personally hired 4 OCs in his 9 years, and wasn't going to get the chance to hire a 5th.  You can be a good manager, but consistently hire people underneath you who underperform.  Unfortunately, it's not just a coach's job performance that is measured.  He's also responsible for the performance of those he oversees.  Lovie would probably get no worse than a B- grade for his time as the Bears head coach.  But most of his assistants, especially on the offensive side, have been unquestionably Fs. 

But overall, I'm really excited about the future of the Chicago Bears.  This is a great opportunity for the Bears to get with the times and hire an offensive minded coach.  A coach that will get the most out of the best QB and WR in franchise history.  A coach that will use a versatility of Forte better.  A coach that will develop Alshon Jeffery and get the most out of Earl Bennett, and if he's around, Devin Hester. 

The most exciting candidates I've heard are Mike McCoy (Broncos OC) and Tom Clements (Packers OC).  Also heard Kyle Shanahan (Redskins OC), college coaches such as Chip Kelly and Kirk Ferentz who I don't really like.  I'm also not too excited about the big names like Gruden, Cowher, or Reid.  The Bears really need to try to find the next Sean Payton, if he even exists.  A young offensive minded coach would be ideal.  And while the defense may suffer with the loss of Lovie, and possibly Marinelli and a scheme change; they are still a talented group.  The Bears D has 4 pro bowlers, not to mention Briggs (should be there) and Urlacher (potential Hall of Famer), if he's back.  So, they aren't going to fall off the face of the Earth on that side of the ball. 

New year = change.  Change is a good thing.  The players are upset right now for the most part, but the best way to honor their now ex-coach is to win with the new guy, giving him some of the credit for building the team from scratch 10 years ago. 

Offseason plans and mock drafts to come.  Tis the season, a little earlier than I hoped.  Go BEARS!